Info
The exhibition “Craft Hub, Investigating craft practices across Europe” starts on Saturday 1 April in the “Ex Ospedale San Rocco”, Piazza San Giovanni, in the historical centre of Matera, Italy.
Thanks to the Crafthub project, co-financed by the European Union’s Creative Europe programme, the exhibition – organized by Materahub – will present some of the project’s emerging results, including a selection of raw and experimental tools and materials that illustrate the process, video tutorials, interviews to makers and much more.
In addition to the experimental pieces, the exhibition is an opportunity to present a range of works of contemporary craftsmanship, selected by a jury and from all over Europe. The works will be exhibited in Italy, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Wales and Norway. At each location, the exhibition will be complemented by another range of local handicrafts.
The exhibition, which will remain open until April 14, also includes various collateral activities and talks in which the objectives and impacts of Crafthub on three important and current issues will be explored: circular economy, social inclusion and empowerment.
Admission to the exhibition is free, with free access from Monday to Sunday from 11 to 19 (closed on Wednesdays). There will be moments dedicated to schools, who will be able to book their visit by sending a reservation email to info@crafthub.eu.
The space is accessible and the installations have been designed to also welcome an audience with sensory and cognitive disabilities, through the integration of narrative devices.
Craftsmanship and its value
The practice of craftsmanship relies on a deep understanding of materials and processes to conceive and create objects in a wide range of disciplines and applications. Throughout history craftsmanship has been part of our civilization, producing artefacts that reflect our creativity, our culture and our society; it is the means through which the narration of our history is often articulated and our distant heritage is discovered and explained. From the handicraft objects found in archaeological excavations, for example, we learn about the culture of our ancestors, and the tools and materials at their disposal, and we discover the cultural attitudes and the value attributed to these objects.
Historically, much crafting originated from a practical problem-solving motif, such as “I need a vessel to put food in”; the same problems occur to all people, but we have many solutions. Contemporary craftsmanship has a great diversity of motivations, from utilitarianism to self-expression, but the common thread of problem-solving, approaches and unique results remain.
The diversity of craft practices, attitudes and motivations of professionals ensure that craft remains alive and relevant in contemporary society. Handcrafted objects resonate with us as they reflect our human dimension, our skills and our ability to manipulate and transform materials in ways that we ourselves understand.
General info
From 02 to 14 April 2023
Place: Ex Ospedale San Rocco, Piazza San Giovanni, 75100 Matera – Italy
Hours: 11:00-19:00
Closing day: Wednesday
Opening: 01 April 2023 at 17.00
In collaboration with
Fondazione Matera Basilicata 2019 – Open Design School
Museo Nazionale di Matera
With the participation of
EgoItaliano
Made in Carcere
Comunità Emmanuel
And the precious support of:
Open Culture 2019 volunteers
Info, contacts and reservations
info@crafthub.eu